Package



R. A. HATCH Jan. l, 1935.A

PACKAGE Filed C. 25, 1952 5 Sheets- Sheet l Jan. l, 1935. R. A. HATCH 1,986,263

PACKAGE Filed OGJ. 25, 1932 5 Sheets-Sheet, 2

Jan. l, 1935. R. AjHATcH 1,986,263`

PACKAGE Filed OCJZ. 25, 1952 5 Sheets- Sheet 5 Jan. l, 1935. R. A. HATCH Y 1,986,263

PACKAGE Filed oct. 25,'1932 5 sheetssheet 4 gaf 1% 1f; 119 1,?9/

jf 122 IW j?? 062s QH M ar Jan. l, 1935. R. A. HATCH n 1,986,263

PACKAGE Filed Oct. 25, 1952 `5 sheets-smet` 5 Patented Jan. 1, 1935 uNl'lEDr STATES.

PATENT OFFICE 14 Claims.

This invention relates to packaging commodities or foods for refrigeration while in transit and/or in storage. It has long been the practice to keep certain foods such, for example, vas

ice cream or other frozen confections in metal containers which are rpacked in ice in wooden pails or buckets. While this procedure provides quite satisfactory refrigeration, the containers and buckets are so expensive that. a dealer who sells foods ill this way must provide for the return of the refrigeration package and this usually involves a second trip on the part of the dealer for the sole purpose of picking up the bucket. Furthermore, these buckets are comparatively large and inconvenient to handle. It is also quite common to pack foods of this kind in cartons' having a double bottom adapted to receive solidified carbon dioxide or like refrigerant, and while the cartons used for this purpose usuallyare so inexpensive that they may be thrown away, thus obviating the necessity of a second trip on the part of the dealer, this method does not provide satisfactory refrigeration and frequently produces such excessive cooling that 259 edible products can not be used for some time after they have been removed from the carton.

Objects of this invention are to provide for overcoming diillculties of the kind just mentioned by providing a comparatively inexpensive package which may be destroyed after it has served its purpose of refligerating a food or other material until it is used; and also to provide a package or carton for these purposes having an lm proved construction and relative arrangement of parts adapted to 4improve the refrigeration of commodities kept in 'such package.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a package with the cover thrown back and broken away;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section along the line 2--2 of Rig. 1; Fi 3 is a perspective view of a container for foods or other commodities to be refrigerated;

Fig. iis a perspective view of the spacing means shown ixi\ Fig. 1;

Figs. 5 and 6 are plan views of the blanks used in forming the spacing means illustrated in y Fig. 4:

Fig. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a dif- 50 ferent form of spacing means;

Figs. 6 and 9 are plan views of the blanks used in forming the spacing means illustrated in Fig. 7; y

Fig. 10 is a plan viewl similar to Fig. 1, but illustrating a modification;

Fig. 11 is a section along Fig. 10:

Fig.' 12 is a perspective view illustrating a further modified form of spacing means;

Fig. 13 is a longitudinal vertical section on the 5 line 13-13 of Fig. 12. illustrating a detail of construction; and

Fig. 14 is a plan view of a one-piece blank which may be used in forming the spacing means of Fis. 12.

In the embodiment selected for illustration in Figs. 1 to 6 of the drawings the package comprises an outer wrapper, here shown by .way of example in the form of the ordinary pastry box 0r carton, indicated generally at 10, and having 15 a bottom 11 and upwardly extending peripheral walls 12, 13, 14, 16 forming the sides and ends of the box, one of the side walls carrying the .cover 17. A container which may be in the form of an ordinary box 18 (Fig. 3) having a remov- 20 able cove-r 19, is provided for receiving the com modity or material to be refrigerated. Preferably this container is `of pasteboard and has its inner surfaces suitably treated to be resistant to moisture. In orderL to space the container 18 from 25 the peripheral walls of the outer carton 10. spacing means of the general form shown in Fig. 4 may be provided. 'This spacing means is formed from the blanks shown in Figs. 5 and 6.

The blank 21 .sllown in Fig. 5 has a bottom 30 portion 22 located intermediate its ends and the blank is folded upwardly along the transverse lines 23 and 24 to form upstanding end walls 26 and 27. These end walls` preferably have end portions 28, 28 and 29,'29' which extend 35 laterally beyond the bottom portion 22 for engagement with adjacent walls of the outer carton. The blank. 21 is then folded downwardly along the lines 31 and 32 to form the downwardly extending portions 33 and 34, which preferably 40 extend substantially to the bottom of the outer carton 10, where the blank isagain folded along the lines 36 and 37 Jto form outwardly or hori- 4zontally disposed portions 38 and 39 which are adapted to lie along the base or bottom oi! the 45 outer carton 10 and to extend substantially to the end walls 14 and 16 of this outer carton. In this modification the blank 21 extends beyond the portions 38 and 39 and is folded upwardly along the lines 41 and 42 to provide the 50 extreme end portions Vor ilaps 43 and 44 which i 'are substantially coextensive with the inner end walls of the outer carton 10.

II'he blank 46 shown in`\Fig. 6 may be formed in a similar manner as will be evident by fold- 55' the. Vlille 11-11 of Aso ing this blank upwardly along the lines 47 and 48 which define the outer side edges of the bottom portion 49 and then folding the blank downwardly along the lines 51 and 52, then horizontally along the lines 53 and 54 and upwardly along the lines 56 and 57. In order to provide from the lower edges of the wall'portions 68 and) j 69 upwardly.

In assembling the spacing means from blanks of this form, the blanks 21 and 46 are arranged transversely of each other with the bottom portions 22 and 49 in superposed relation, and the slitted portions 58 to 62 of the blank 21 are passed upwardly over the uncut portions' connecting the extreme end portions 71, 72, 73 and 74 of the blank 46 so that the slitted portions 63 to 67 of this blank receive the uncut portions connecting the upright walls 26 and 27 .with the extreme end portions 28, 28' and 29, 29'- of the blank 21. f

Whenl the blanks are assembled in this manner they have substantially the form illustrated in Fig. 4, thus providing e. spacing means which is adapted to fit snugly against the peripheral walls forming the sides and ends of the outer carton l0. It will be seen that this spacing'means provides a central storage space which is enclosed by the upstanding walls 26 and 27 oi the blank 21 and by similar walls 68 and 69 of the blank 46, and this storage space preferably is.

substantially complementary to the container, such as the box` 18, which is to be used with this package. It is also preferred to provide open= ings such as the slotted holes 78 in the extreme end portions 28, 28 and 29, 29 and. 76' in the end portions 71 to 74 to provide a continuous path for the4 circulation of air about the storage space, thereby assuring good refrigeration'. Ada ditionel holes 77 may be formed in the side and end walls 88, 69, 26 and 27 to increase the cooling eectof the refrigerant employed. It will also be understood that the outer carton .may be dispensedwith and that this spacing means4 may be enclosed by wrapping it in ordinary wrapping paper or other suitable material in the same manner in which it is customary to wrap packages.`

In the modication illustrated in Figs. 7 .to 9. the spacing means is generally of the same form and is assembled in the same manner. but in this modification the blanks 21' and 46' have their outer end portions terminating along the lines 41', 42 and 56', 57', thereby dispensing withthe extreme end portions or aps 43, 44 and 78 and 79Aof the blanks shown in Figs. 5 and 6. The outwardly extending portions 38', 39' and 8l and 82 of the blank shown in Figs. 8 and 9extend laterally at an angle of`45 or at complementary angles so that the angular edges so formed will come substantially together in the manner illustrated in Fig. 7, and thus give stiffness and rigidity to the assembled structure. These blanks are assembled into the form shown in Fig. 7 by following the same procedure as that outlined with reference to the blanks shown in Figs. 5 and 6, and when assembled in this :Lacasse tending portions 38', 39', 81 and 82 are adapted to engage the side and end walls of the outer carton or wrapper, and likewise the extreme end portions 28, 26', 29, 29' of the blank 2l' are adapted to engage the opposite side walls 12 and 18 of the outer carton, while the'end portions 71 to 74 of the blank 46' are adapted to engage the opposite end walls 14 'and 16 of this outer carton. Furthermore, the end portions 71 to 74 overlie the outwardly disposed substantially horizontal portions 38' and 39 of the blank 21' and likewise the'end portions 28, 28', 29 and 29' overlie the outwardly disposed substantially horizontal portions 8 1 and 83 of the blank 46', thereby effectively holding or securing these outwardly extending horizontal portions against the bottom of the 'outer carton or wrapper.

It will also be understood that while it 'is desirable to have the outwardly extending horizontal portions 38', 39', 81 and 82 formed with the complementary angles in order to provide a more rigid and more form-retaining structure, this is not necessary, as obviously these edges may have other forms, but it is preferred to have these edges extended suiciently so that they may be en'ectively heid down against the bottom of the'outer carton by the aforementioned end portions of said upright walls. i

The spacing means yshown in Fig. 12 may be assembled from a one-piece blank 121 (Fig. le) having a centrally disposed bottom portion 122 comprising the area within the parallel lines 123, 123' and 124 and 124'. This blank is provided with unitary and preferably integral inner end wall portions 126 and 127 which may be connected to the bottom portion by foldover connecting and spacing portionsq 138 and 139. Outer-end wall members 143 and 144 are carried by the inner end wall portions. These outer yend wall portions have extensions or spacing members 128, 128' and 129 and 129' which are partially separated from the wall portions with which they are associated by notches 158 and by slits 159 extending beyond the apices of these notches preferably in a direction substantially parallel to the lines 123 and 123 defining the Ibottom portion.

Similarly the blank may be provided with in tegral inner side wall portions 168 and 169 which may have extensions or spacing members 171 and 172 partially separated from the inner side wall portions withl which they are associated by notches 163 and slits 164 extending beyond the apices of the notches preferably in a direction substantially parallel to the lines 124 and 124' dening the portion of the blank which is to constitute the bottom of the spacing means. 'Ihe outer side wall members 149 and 150 are carried by the inner side wall members 168 and 169. Along their oter edges these outer side wall members carry spacing strips or extensions 173 and 174.

The spacing means illustrated in Fig'. 12 may be formed from the blank 121 by folding the blank upwardly along the lines 123 and 123', downwardly along the lines 101 and 101', and then outwardly or horizontally along the lines 102 and 102',thereby bringing the inner and outer side wall portions and the spacing' strips into proper assembled relation. The ends of this spacing means are formed by folding the end *wall portions over-the bottom portion 122A along the lines 103 and 103', thenv folding these portions upwardly along the linesy 104 and 104' and downwardLv along the lines and 105'. In bringing the parts into this relationship the slitted notchesitsoftheendwsllsareensasedinthe same intheadiacentportionsofthesidewalls. 'fhis secures the parts in the desired relationship.-

Itwillbeobservedthattheendwallsareset back,so as to fit snuily between the extensions 17i d172o! thesidewallsaswillbeapparent fro Fig.. 13, thereby assuring a nrm, form-retaining structure. The spacing strips 173 and 174 of the side walls and the, folded over spacing members 138 and 133 of the end walls together with the extreme end portions or spacing' extensions 171, 172, 128. 128' and 129, 129' of the side and end walls are proportionedfor engagement with adjacent walls of an outer carton or wrapper so as to`maintain the compartment formed by the side and end walls in proper spaced relation to the exterior of the package.

Suit-able openings (not shown) may also be provided for improving circulation and refrigeration as described herein with reference to other refrigerating qualities of this package. `Ihis may be accomplished conveniently by arranging sheets of suitable insulating material preferably within the outer wrapper to enclose the spacing means as shown in Figs. 10 and 1i. 'Preferably a sheet 106 of insulating material having a width approximately equal to the overall length of the spacing means is arranged within the outer catton to extend across the bottom. and upwardly along the side walls and a sumcient distance beyond the latter to provide for enclosing the top or upper side of the spacing means. Another sheet `107 of similar material having a width approximately equal to the overall width of the spacing means may be arranged across the bottom of the -outer carton in superposed relation with respect to the sheet 106, with the sheet 107 extending upwardly along and beyond the end walls of the outer carton to provide sulcient insulating material for substantially enclosing the upper side of the spacing means. 'I'hese sheets of insulating material may comprise an envelope 109 containing loose brous material and aggregate or other material suitable for insulating purposes. Inexpensive sheets of insulating material may be formed of ilbrous paper and aggregate enclosed in paper envelopes.

- corrugated paper beneath or above the spacing means within the outer wrapper.

It is preferred to use solidified carbon dioxide as the refrigerant, and in most casesLa piece of this material may be placed in the air path about the central storage space adjacent either a side or end wall of the package, and due to the fact that a substantially continuous path for air circulation is provided through the holes 76 and 76', the entire contents of the container 18 are 1 ,ose,aes A V d maintained submnasuy stm ma' temperature but opposltely disposed notches 163 formedv and excessive cooling is avoided.

Whileit is contemplated that in somecases it may be desirable to form the members making up this improved package of various as composition products, metals, and the like, or to embody metallic or composition members in the construction, as for example by providing spacing means of metallic construction, it is preferred to form substantially the entire package of materials which are relatively poor conductors of heat. Combustible materials such as wood, preferably in the form of veneers, and sheet material formed from paper stock, as pasteboard, cardboard, or various grades of paper. as well as other substantially impervious sheet materials, are suitable for these purposes, as will be apparent tothose skilled in this art. Materials ofthis general class ai'ford adequate insulation and have the further advantages of being comparatively inexpensive and also readily and completely destructible by the consumer.

It should be understood that the present disclosure is for the purpose of illustration only, and that this invention includes `all modifications and equivalents which fall within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Means for packaging a container for refrigeration comprising superposed blanks ar-l ranged to extend transversely of each other, each blank having a bottom portion intermediate its ends, each blank being folded upwardly substantially at the extremities. of its bottom portion to form opposed substantially upright walls, each blank being folded downwardly substantially at the upper extremities of said' walls to form downwardly extending portions, the latter having portions extending outwardly for engagement with the walls of an outer carton for\ maintaining an air space between the latter and a container disposed on said bottom portion.

2. Means for packaging a container for refrigeration comprising superposed blanks arranged to extend transversely of each other, each blank having a bottom portion intermediate its ends, each blank being folded upwardly substantially at the extremities of said bottom portion to form opposedsubstantially upright walls, each blank being folded downwardly substantially at the upper extremities of said walls to form downwardly extending portions, said downwardly -extending portions being folded outwardly substantially at the base of said upright walls to provide outwardly extending portions for engagementv with adjacent walls of an outer carton.

3. Means for packaging a container for re irigeration comprising superposed blanks arranged to extend transversely of each other, each blank having a bottom portion intermediate its ends, each blank being folded upwardly substantially at the extremities of said bottoni portion to frigeration comprising a pair of blanks, each stantially at the extremities of its bottom portion to form opposedsubstantially upright walls said walls having end portions extending outwardly beyond the bottom portions for engagement with adjacent walls of an outer carton. said blanks beingV disposed transversely of each other with their bottom portions inperposed relation, and means providing for interengagement of said outwardly extending end portions of said upright walls.

5. Means for packaging a container for refrigeration comprising a pair of blanks each havlng a bottom portion intermediate its ends, each of said blanks being folded upwardly substantially at the extremities of its bottomI portion to form opposed substantially upright walls, said walls having end portions extending upwardly beyond said bottom portions for engagement with adjacent walls of an outer carton, said blanks being folded downwardly substantially along the upper edges of said upright walls to form downwardly extending portions. said downwardly extending portions carrying outwardly disposed substantially horizontal portions, the latter being adapted to engage adjacent walls of an outer carton, said blanks being disposed transversely of each other with their bottom portions in superposed relation, means providing for interengagement of said outwardly vextending erd portions of said upright walls. said outwardly extending end portions of said upright walls of one blank being adapted to overlie said outwardly disposed substantially horizontal portions of the other blank for securing the latter portions substantially against the bottom of the outer carton.

6. Means for packaging a container for refrigeration comprising a pair of blanks each having a bottom portion intermediate its ends, each oi said blanks being folded upwardly substantially at the extremities of its bottom portion to form opposed substantially upright walls, said walls having end portions extending outwardly beyond said bottom porti for engagement with adjacent. walls of an ou r carton, said blanks being ioldcd downwardly substantially along the upper edges oi' said upright walls to form downwardly extending portions. said downwardly extending portions carrying outwardly disposed substantially horizontal portions, the latter being adapted to engage adjacent walls oi an outer carton, said blanks being disposed transversely of eachother with their bottom portions in superposed relation, means providing for interengagement of said outwardly extending end portions of said upright walls. said outwardly substantially horizontal portions carrying upwardly disposed fiaps adapted to lie against adjacent sides of the outer carton. Y

7. Means for packaging a container for refrigeration comprising a unitary one-piece blank having a centrally disposed bottom portion.' substantially upright inner and outer side and end wall portions integral with said bottom portion and arranged to form a compartment for material to'be refrigerated. means providing interfitting connections between these side and en d wall portions for securing these parts in this relationship, and means integral with said blank Awall portions integral 1,ose,ees

mildly upright inner and outer side and end j with said bottom portion and arranged to form a compartment for material'to be refrigerated. means providing interiitting connections between these side and end wall portions for securing these parts in thisrelationship. and means integral with said blank for maintaining said side and said end walls spaced from adjacent walls of an outer carton.`

and at least one sheet of insulating material disposed about said side and end walls.

"l 9. Means for packaging a container for refrigeration comprising a unitary one-piece blank having a centrally disposed;A bottom portion, substantially upright inner and outer side and end wall portions integral with said bottom portion and arranged to form a compartment fr material to be refrigerated, means providing interntting connections between these side" and end wall portions for securing these parts in this relationship, means integral with said blank for maintaining said side and said end walls spaced from adjacent walls ot an outer carton, and sheets of insulating material disposed transversely with respect to each other and extending upwardly about and suiiiciently beyond said side and end walls to provide for substantially enclosing all portions of said blank.

l0. The combination with a carton comprising a bottom and substantially upright peripheral walls. of interengaging spacing members disposed transversely of each other within the carton. each of said spacing members comprising juxtaposed inner and outer substantially upright wall portions. laterally extending means carried by the outer wall portions thereof for engagement with adjacent walls of the outer carton, the inner walls of said spacing members defining a central space within the carton and being engageable with a container in said 4storage space for maintaining an air space about said container.

l1. The combination with a carton comprising a bottom and substantially upright peripheral walls. of interengaging Spacing members disposed transversely of each other within the carton at points spaced along said peripheral walls, each of said spacing members comprising juxtaposed inner and outer substantially upright wall portions,N laterally extending means carried by the outer wall portions for engagement with adjacent walls of the outer carton, the inner walls of said spacing members defining a central storage space within the carton and being engageable with a container disposed in said storage space for maintaining an air space about said container, and a bottom for said storage space secured to a plurality of said spacing members.

l2. Means for packaging a container'for reranged to extend transversely of each other. each blank having a bottom portion intermediate its ends and having walls extending upwardly substantially at the extremities of said bottom portion for enclosing opposite portions of the container, veach blank also having portions extending outwardly from said upwardly extending walls -above the bottom for engagement with an outer carton to provide and maintain air spaces between the outer carton and said upwardly extending walls of said blank for facilitating refrigeration of the container.

13. Means for packaging a container for refrigeration comprising -superposed blanks, each blank having a bottom portionfand at least one wall extending vupwardly therefrom for enclostom portions intermediate their ends, each of said blanks having bottom portions intermediate their ends, each of said blanks being folded upwardly substantially at the extremities of its bottom portion to form opposed substantially upright walls, each of said blanks having upright portions'extending outwardly from said upright walls for engagement with adjacent walls of an outer carton, said blanks being disposed transversely of each other with their bottom portions in super- 10 posed relation.

ROSS A. HATCH. 

